Doctor of Ministry

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by ageofknowledge, Aug 16, 2010.

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  1. ageofknowledge

    ageofknowledge New Member

    Hello forum members,

    I'm interested in pursuing a D.Min. or D.Th. degree (haven't decided yet which track to puruse) in a year (it's customary to wait a full three years after finishing your Master's of Divinity before starting a Doctoral degree program... time spent IN Ministry or religious studies related work).

    I found the Nations University M.Div. curriculum excellent, informative, and practical. The price was amazing.

    I still owe $45k on my other degree programs and so am looking for a Doctoral program that is low cost, yet provides an excellent education with good reputation.

    The Doctor of Ministry at Talbot looks reasonable at $14k roughly for the whole program if I wish to pursue the D.Min. track (and I think I do ) and my phone call to them suggested Nations U would be acceptable to them for transfer (yet further confirmation of Nations U ever increasing status amongst Christian colleges) :).

    What other programs out there might meet this requirement friends? Thanking you in advance for your feedback.

    -Age

    --------------
    M.Div. Nations University
    MBA Baker College
    B.S. University of Phoenix
    A.A. California Community College
     
  2. PatsFan

    PatsFan New Member

    Just for clarification, are you saying that Talbot Theological Seminary has agreed to accept an unaccredited MDiv from Nations University for admission to their D.Min program? If so, I'd love to see that in writing. I say that not to say anything disparaging about all the work NU is doing in their efforts to gain accreditation. My experience has been that it is very difficult to gain admission to an accredited seminary doctoral program with an unaccredited MDiv.


    For information on more accredited D.Min programs check out
    Christian Distance Learning: Online College, Seminary Degrees
     
  3. emmzee

    emmzee New Member

    It may help that he also has his MBA from an accredited school, and perhaps some years of ministry experience too ... ?

    I'd say if Talbot is willing to accept you, and if you are willing to spend the money for the degree, go for it. Talbot is, as far as I know, a great school, and well regarded (at least among evangelicals). There are other options, like LRU's DMin program would be cheaper (they are TRACS accredited and charge approx $7,920) but the cheaper programs would have less ... ah, prestige than Talbot. So, I'd say go with that if you can afford it.
     
  4. JWC

    JWC New Member

  5. Garp

    Garp Well-Known Member

    I imagine you are not likely to find many colleges willing to "put it in writing" because it is not a blanket policy. What they do is admit on a case by case basis. I know of a school that will not put in writing acceptance of unaccredited degrees but does admit students with them. In cases such as Nations University where they have excellent faculty, course developers and affiliation with a major denomination, that helps. I imagine the same could be said for many NA programs and admission to RA schools. There are probably some unaccredited schools they would not even consider for very good reason (hence it is case by case).

    As to other suggestions, I agree with the South African option and LRU. If you are going to do a DMin for personal satisfaction, LRU may work perfectly well and be more cost effective. However, if you intend to try and teach with the DMin (eg practical theology) somewhere, then Talbot has a very strong reputation and would probably be a good investment.
     
  6. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

  7. Garp

    Garp Well-Known Member

    Liberty (RA) would indeed be a good choice. I suppose, it really depends on what the OP intends to do with the degree. If it is his intent to teach practical theology or something similiar, then going RA, ATS or SA would probably provide the most utility. Then there is always the matter of denominational issues which would factor into the equation. If you are a Southern Baptist, getting your DMin from Claremont School of Theology may not be a good idea.
     
  8. PatsFan

    PatsFan New Member

    I like your recommendations, Garp. What I had in mind by "in writing" was an e-mail or a letter from Talbot. I just find it hard to believe that Talbot would admit someone to their D.Min program with a master's from Nations--even with an accredited MBA. That said, I am aware that ATS allows seminaries to make exceptions. One of my classmates in Ashland's D.Min program had an accredited PhD in clinical psychology and no master's degree in a theological discipline.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 3, 2010
  9. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    I also will be surprised if Talbot accepts a degree from Nations. That's not to disparage Nations, I like their concept. After I finish my EdD at Liberty, if I have any energy left, I might be interested in doing a MDiv at Nations, but it would just be for personal reasons. I don't think I could do much with the degree until they become accredited.
     
  10. b4cz28

    b4cz28 Active Member

    I asked this very question of many RA and Tracs schools, almost every school I asked told me they would take the M.Div. to enter the doctoral programs. Global and Nations work together as well, they have some type of partnership and Global has helped write a lot of courses for Nations. I don't remember exactly how many would accept undergrad to enter a masters but it was a lot. Nations U must have a very good reputation in the world of academia for the degrees to be that well received. I am one class away from my BRS with them and that’s why I was looking into it. As soon as they get DETC (If they do) I will finish my last class and go onto Liberty U’s seminary program although I don’t need a degree to enter Nations Masters programs.
     
  11. b4cz28

    b4cz28 Active Member

    There going get it this January I think. They have made so many changes and are lot better defined then they were a year ago.
     
  12. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Wow, very cool. I wonder if they can still afford to be free? I'm not sure what the related costs are, I've no experience there, but it seems like accreditation status also equals expense.
     
  13. b4cz28

    b4cz28 Active Member

    I was told there would be no price change.
     
  14. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    That is extremely cool.
     
  15. b4cz28

    b4cz28 Active Member

    I meant LU's masters programs.
     
  16. PatsFan

    PatsFan New Member

    I really wish NU well--and you too, b4cz28. I just noticed NU's prison ministry. I work as a prison chaplain. I'd love to see some of our inmates take advantage of the opportunities there.

    Tom
     
  17. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    I have a buddy who works as a volunteer chaplain at Cochran Prison in California. It's a noble calling, a great ministry and a tough job. Kudos to you!
     
  18. Garp

    Garp Well-Known Member

    Yes, I think that sort of program could be life changing for some of those inmates. They become more academically grounded in their faith and earn a degree at the same time. We need more programs like that.
     
  19. b4cz28

    b4cz28 Active Member

    Sadly I worked as an Officer for TDCJ for a short time. When we processed inmates out they just threw their bibles in the trash. We dug so many bibles out of the trash it was disturbing. It was always the first thing to go because they are only allowed to leave with so many items. I never saw one inmate chose his bible over the radio he bought in the commissary.
    We estimated at our unit about 95% of drug transaction among inmates took place while they were in church. We started searching all inmates leaving church on Wednesday and Sunday and almost cut our drug traffic to nothing in the prison.

    Do I think religion is a good thing? Yes.

    Would preachers helping inmates earn a degree with Nations instead of just preaching be better? Yes. I feel that a simple item like a piece of paper from a college can link them to morality more than just words can. At the end of the day the word of god is a guide for life and it’s a guide they have no motivation to follow. If you preach in a prison you need to get with Nations and couple your ministry with education. It might just be pieces of paper but it will provide a sense of pride in them that I feel will help them achieve so much more once they are released. This can be done at no cost to you.
     
  20. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Wait, why? If they're being released, and it's their stuff, why can't they take it all?

    -=Steve=-
     

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